If you are looking for a delicious, healthy meal that your whole family will love, you should give the classic Chinese dish, Red-Cooked Pork, a try. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or for a casual dinner. Red-Cooked Pork, also known as 红烧肉, is a slow-cooked pork shoulder that is simmered in a flavorful broth of soy sauce and spices. The pork is then served with vegetables and rice, making it a hearty and nutritious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect Red-Cooked Pork.
Ingredients
The following ingredients are needed to make the Red-Cooked Pork: 1 lb. pork shoulder, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
Step 1: Preparing the Pork
Begin by washing the pork shoulder and patting it dry. Cut the pork into cubes and set aside. Mince the garlic and ginger and combine them with the soy sauces, sugar, sesame oil, and Chinese cooking wine in a small bowl. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined and set aside.
Step 2: Browning the Pork
Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the pork cubes and cook until they are lightly browned. Be sure to stir the pork cubes often to ensure they are cooked evenly and to prevent them from sticking to the wok.
Step 3: Simmering the Pork
Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok and stir to combine with the pork cubes. Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low and let the pork simmer for 30 minutes. Stir the pork cubes occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 4: Finishing the Pork
After the pork has simmered for 30 minutes, remove the wok from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes. Once the pork has cooled, transfer it to a plate and serve it with vegetables and rice.
Tips
Red-Cooked Pork is a very forgiving dish, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients and flavors. Try adding different spices and herbs to the soy sauce mixture to give the pork a unique flavor. You can also add other vegetables, such as broccoli or bell peppers, to the dish.
Serving Ideas
Red-Cooked Pork is a great dish to serve for a special occasion or for a casual dinner. It is also perfect for meal prepping and can be served with steamed rice or noodles. You can also serve the pork with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a salad.
Conclusion
Red-Cooked Pork is a classic Chinese dish that is both delicious and nutritious. The dish is easy to make and can be customized to suit your tastes. Try this step-by-step guide to make the perfect Red-Cooked Pork for your next dinner.
